AI Video Editor: Turn a Long Video into a Short Social Clip

If you have a long recording and need a short social clip, you don't have to download anything. The video97 online video editor runs in your browser and combines AI cutting, automatic subtitles, voice-over tools, music and motion graphics. This guide walks through a complete workflow: take a source video, cut it down, add captions, give it a voice-over, add music, make it move, and export as an MP4. By the end you will have a short video ready to post.

Step 1: Upload your video and set the canvas

Open video97.com and click the AI video editor project. Choose the aspect ratio that matches your target platform. For TikTok or Instagram Reels, pick 9:16 vertical. For YouTube or Facebook, 16:9 works well. You can change the background later if you need to.

Upload your long video file. The editor accepts common formats like MP4, MOV, WEBM. Wait for the video to process. The preview and the timeline appear. You can also drag and drop a file from your desktop into the browser window.

Step 2: Cut and trim to find the highlight

Move the playhead to the start of the part you want to keep. Click the split tool or use the shortcut to cut the clip. Go to the end of the wanted section and split again. Now you have a middle segment with extra video on both sides.

Select the unwanted parts and press delete. You can also drag the trim handles on the clip edge to shorten it. This is the basic way to trim a video in the browser. You don't need to export anything between edits.

If you want AI help, open the AI cutting panel. The tool scans your footage and finds long pauses, repeated sentences and clear highlight points. It suggests a set of cuts. You can accept the suggestions one by one and then adjust the remaining clip manually. This is especially useful when you work with talking head videos or interviews.

Step 3: Add subtitles with AI

Subtitles make short videos more accessible and help viewers who watch without sound. In the online video editor you can add subtitles to video in a few clicks.

Click the Subtitles button and choose Auto generate. The AI listens to the audio track and writes down what it hears. It also creates timing markers for each caption. You see the subtitles on the canvas and in a transcript list below.

Check the text and fix any names or technical terms the AI may have missed. You can edit each caption directly on the timeline or in the list. After that, choose a subtitle style. You can set the font, color, background, size and position. For social media, a bold font with a semi transparent black background is effective. You can also enable an animated text effect so each caption appears with a slide or a fade.

If you need subtitles in another language, you can translate the transcript with a machine translation step, or type the new text yourself. The captions stay in sync because the timing is based on the original audio.

Step 4: Add or generate a voice-over

You can record a voice-over directly in the browser. Click Voice-over, then record. Make sure your microphone is allowed. Read your script and click stop. The recording appears as a new audio track.

If you prefer not to use your own voice, video97 has an AI voice-over feature. You type your script, pick a voice profile and the AI creates a natural sounding narration. You can adjust the speed and pitch if needed. Use this for a clean, consistent voice-over that matches your script.

To place the voice-over, drag it on the timeline so it starts at the right moment. The editor keeps the original video audio on another track. You can mute the original audio or lower its volume when the voice-over plays. This is useful for removing background noise from an interview while keeping your new narration clear.

Step 5: Add background music from the library or your own files

Open the Music tab. Browse the built in music library or upload an audio file. preview tracks and pick one that fits the mood of the clip.

Add it to the audio track below the voice-over. Set the volume to around 20 or 30 percent so it does not compete with spoken words. If your clip has a voice-over or original speech, enable ducking. Ducking automatically lowers the music level while someone talks and raises it when there is only music or silence.

You can also trim the music to match the video length. Drag the right edge of the music clip to make it shorter. If the video is longer than the music, enable loop so the track repeats.

Step 6: Make it a motion video with animated graphics

A still video with just titles can feel flat. To make a motion video, use motion graphics. The AI video editor includes a library of animated elements: text, shapes, progress bars, arrows, stickers and overlays.

Select the text style you want and type your main message. Then choose an entrance animation such as fade in, slide from left, scale up or bounce. You can also add an exit animation for the text. Set the start and end times on the timeline.

For a stronger effect, use the motion preset called 'kinetic captions'. It adds a subtle zoom and pan on the video as each subtitle appears. This creates movement without any keyframe work. You can also import a still image and make it move with a slow pan or zoom. The editor can turn a static image into a motion graphic in a few seconds.

Step 7: Export as MP4 and share

Before you export, play the whole video from start to finish. Check that subtitles appear at the right time and that music does not overpower the voice-over.

Click Export. Choose the resolution: 1080p is ideal for HD video, 720p is lighter and uploads faster. Select MP4 format and start the export. When the process ends, download the file and post it to your channel.

All these steps happen inside the browser. You don't need to install software or transfer files between tools. From the first upload to the final export, the online video editor keeps everything in one project.

FAQ

How long does it take to transcribe a video for subtitles?

The AI transcribes in real time or faster, depending on the video length. A one minute clip usually takes less than a minute. A longer video takes a bit longer, but you can start editing other parts while the transcription runs.

Can I add subtitles without a voice-over in the video?

Yes. You can add subtitles to silent video or to a video that already has audio. The subtitle tool works from the audio track. If there is no audio, you can type captions manually and set each caption timing on the timeline.

Can I edit vertical videos for TikTok and Instagram in the browser?

Yes. When you start a new project in the AI video editor, choose the vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. You can also change an existing project's canvas size from the settings. Subtitles, motion graphics and voice-over tools work in any resolution.